This Southern California Animal Sanctuary Is A Sweet Spring Escape For Hugging Cows And Cuddling Pigs
You can hug a cow here.
Not metaphorically. Not through a fence. Actually hug one.
Just outside Los Angeles, The Gentle Barn feels like stepping into a softer version of the world.
The noise fades. The rush disappears. And suddenly you’re scratching a pig’s belly while a rescued goat leans into you like you’ve known each other for years.
This isn’t a zoo. It’s not a farm tour. It’s something slower. Gentler. The kind of place where animals with difficult pasts now greet strangers like old friends – and somehow, you leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.
One minute you’re laughing at a mischievous sheep. The next, you’re wrapping your arms around a massive cow and realizing how grounding that simple moment feels.
No screens. No pressure. Just connection.
Spring makes it even sweeter. Green hills. Open skies. That quiet kind of peace you didn’t realize you needed. You can spend a Sunday hugging rescued cows in California hills and leave feeling like your heart just took a deep breath.
1. Founded By Ellie Laks In 1999 With A Rescue Mission
Ellie Laks started The Gentle Barn with a simple but powerful vision: to create a safe haven for animals who had nowhere else to go.
She began rescuing farm animals from situations of abuse and neglect, giving them the medical care and emotional support they needed to recover.
The sanctuary has grown from a backyard operation to a full-scale nonprofit that now cares for over 170 animals across multiple locations.
What makes this place different from other animal rescues is its dual mission of helping both animals and people heal together.
Laks recognized early on that the gentle nature of rescued farm animals could provide comfort to humans dealing with their own struggles.
The sanctuary’s address is 15825 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA 91390, making it accessible for day trips from Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Visitors often comment on the peaceful atmosphere that seems to radiate from the property itself.
The animals roam in spacious enclosures designed to meet their specific needs, while staff members share the individual rescue stories that brought each creature to safety.
Every animal at The Gentle Barn has a name, a personality, and a past that helps visitors understand why sanctuaries like this matter so much in a world where farm animals rarely receive second chances.
2. Over 170 Rescued Animals Call This Sanctuary Home
Walking through The Gentle Barn feels like meeting an extended family of animals who each bring something unique to the community.
The sanctuary houses cows, horses, pigs, sheep, chickens, llamas, emus, cats, dogs, and birds, creating a diverse mix of species that somehow coexist peacefully.
Each animal arrived from a different circumstance, whether rescued from factory farms, saved from slaughter, or taken in after being abandoned by previous owners. The variety of animals means every visit offers different interactions and experiences.
Some visitors find themselves drawn to the soulful eyes of the cows, while others discover unexpected joy in watching pigs roll in the mud or chickens scratch in the dirt.
The sanctuary staff knows each animal by name and can share detailed stories about their personalities, preferences, and progress since arriving.
Numbers like 170 animals might sound overwhelming, but the property is organized thoughtfully so that each species has appropriate space and enrichment.
The barnyard never feels crowded or chaotic, which speaks to the careful planning that goes into animal placement and care.
Guests can spend hours exploring different areas of the sanctuary, meeting new friends at every turn and learning about the individual needs of various farm animal species.
3. Open To The Public Every Sunday Morning
Sunday mornings at The Gentle Barn operate on a schedule that works for both animals and visitors, with gates opening at 10:00 AM and closing at 2:00 PM.
This four-hour window gives everyone plenty of time to explore the sanctuary, participate in guided activities, and spend quality time with the resident animals.
The Sunday-only public schedule helps maintain a calm environment for animals who need predictability and routine after experiencing trauma in their past lives.
Arriving early in the morning often means cooler temperatures and more active animals who are ready to greet visitors.
Staff members lead group activities throughout the morning, including cow hugging sessions, pig belly rubs, and barnyard meditation experiences that help guests slow down and connect with nature.
The structured schedule ensures that animals get adequate rest between interactions and that no creature becomes overwhelmed by too much attention.
Weekday visits require special arrangements through private tours or scheduled programs, making Sundays the most accessible option for casual visitors.
The timing works particularly well for families looking for meaningful weekend activities that don’t require all-day commitments.
Spring weather makes these Sunday mornings especially pleasant, with mild temperatures and blooming landscapes creating an idyllic backdrop for animal encounters.
4. Cow Hug Therapy Offers Unique Healing Experience
Few experiences compare to standing in a quiet barnyard with your arms wrapped around a 1,500-pound cow who leans into the embrace like an old friend.
Cow Hug Therapy at The Gentle Barn has become one of the sanctuary’s most popular programs, drawing visitors who seek comfort, stress relief, or simply a moment of connection with another living being.
The practice combines elements of meditation, animal-assisted therapy, and mindfulness to create a surprisingly powerful healing experience.
Cows have naturally warm body temperatures and slow, steady heartbeats that can have a calming effect on humans who spend time close to them.
During a cow hug session, participants are guided to breathe deeply, quiet their minds, and simply be present with the animal.
The cows at The Gentle Barn have been carefully selected and trained for this work, as not every bovine enjoys close human contact or has the temperament for therapy interactions. Participants often report feeling unexpectedly emotional during and after cow hugging sessions.
Something about the gentle acceptance these animals offer, combined with their massive yet peaceful presence, seems to create space for people to release stress and reconnect with simpler feelings.
The program has attracted attention from mental health professionals interested in animal-assisted interventions and from everyday people who just need a break from the intensity of modern life.
5. Private Tours Available Throughout The Week
Groups looking for more personalized experiences can book private tours that offer deeper engagement with the animals and more flexibility in scheduling.
These tours run throughout the week by appointment, making The Gentle Barn accessible even to those who cannot visit on Sundays.
Private bookings work well for school field trips, birthday parties, corporate team-building events, and families who want undivided attention from staff educators.
The advantage of a private tour lies in the customization options that allow groups to focus on specific interests or educational goals.
Teachers can request curriculum-aligned content about animal welfare, biology, or environmental stewardship, while birthday groups might spend extra time with particular animals that the guest of honor finds most appealing.
Tour guides adjust pacing and content based on the age and engagement level of participants, ensuring everyone has a meaningful experience.
Private tours typically last between one and two hours, depending on the package selected and the size of the group.
Staff members share more detailed rescue stories during these intimate sessions and often allow for extended interaction time with animals who enjoy extra attention.
The cost of private tours helps support the sanctuary’s ongoing operations and provides funding for medical care, food, and facility improvements that benefit all the resident animals.
6. Animal-Assisted Therapy Programs For Children And Adults
Beyond casual visits, The Gentle Barn operates structured therapy programs that use animal interactions to support human healing and growth.
These programs serve children and adults dealing with trauma, developmental challenges, social anxiety, and other conditions that benefit from animal-assisted interventions.
Licensed therapists and trained animal handlers work together to create safe, supportive environments where participants can practice new skills while building confidence through relationships with non-judgmental animal companions.
Program participants might work on vocal skills by reading to quiet animals, develop motor skills through grooming and feeding tasks, or build leadership abilities by learning to guide animals through simple exercises.
The animals themselves become co-therapists of sorts, responding to human emotions and behaviors in ways that provide immediate, honest feedback.
A child who approaches a sheep too quickly learns about respecting boundaries, while an adult who successfully calms a nervous chicken discovers their own capacity for patience and gentleness.
These therapy programs require advance registration and often involve multiple sessions to allow for meaningful progress and relationship building.
Families interested in this level of engagement should contact the sanctuary directly to discuss options, availability, and whether their specific needs align with current program offerings.
The therapeutic work happening at The Gentle Barn represents some of the most impactful aspects of the sanctuary’s mission, creating ripple effects of healing that extend far beyond the barnyard itself.
7. Educational Field Trips Teach Compassion And Animal Care
Teachers searching for field trip destinations that combine fun with meaningful learning often discover that The Gentle Barn offers exactly what they need.
Educational programs at the sanctuary go beyond simple animal viewing to explore topics like animal welfare, ethical treatment of farm animals, environmental responsibility, and the connection between human choices and animal wellbeing.
Students leave with expanded awareness of where food comes from and how individual actions can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable creatures.
Field trip programming is designed to align with various educational standards and can be adapted for different grade levels from elementary through high school.
Younger students might focus on basic animal needs and habitats, while older groups can engage with more complex ethical questions about factory farming, animal rights, and sustainable living.
Hands-on activities keep students engaged, whether they’re helping prepare animal snacks, grooming a sheep, or participating in a guided meditation with the cows.
The sanctuary environment itself becomes a classroom where abstract concepts become concrete through direct experience.
A lesson about empathy takes on new meaning when students hear the rescue story of a pig who was saved from neglect, then get to see that same pig thriving in a safe, loving environment.
Schools interested in booking educational visits should plan ahead, as field trip slots fill quickly during the academic year.
8. Volunteer Opportunities Support Sanctuary Operations
Running a sanctuary for over 170 animals requires an enormous amount of daily work, and volunteers provide essential support that makes The Gentle Barn’s mission possible.
Volunteer roles range from direct animal care like feeding, grooming, and cleaning enclosures to visitor services like guiding tours, answering questions, and helping with special events.
People who volunteer regularly often form deep bonds with specific animals and become passionate advocates for the sanctuary’s mission in their own communities.
The sanctuary looks for volunteers who can commit to regular schedules, as consistency helps both animals and staff maintain smooth operations.
Training is provided for all volunteer positions, ensuring that everyone understands proper animal handling techniques, safety protocols, and the sanctuary’s philosophy of compassionate care.
Some volunteers bring specialized skills like veterinary knowledge, construction abilities, or social media expertise that can be applied to specific projects and needs. Volunteering at The Gentle Barn offers rewards beyond the satisfaction of helping animals in need.
Regular volunteers describe the experience as therapeutic, grounding, and perspective-shifting, with the simple rhythms of barnyard work providing a welcome contrast to the complexity of modern life.
Those interested in volunteering can find application information on the sanctuary’s website, though space may be limited depending on current volunteer capacity and training schedules.
9. Season Passes Allow Unlimited Sunday Visits
Frequent visitors and local families often find that season passes offer the best value and flexibility for experiencing The Gentle Barn throughout the year.
These passes allow unlimited entry during regular Sunday public hours, meaning passholders can visit as often as they like without worrying about individual admission costs.
For families with children who form attachments to specific animals or people who find the sanctuary environment particularly restorative, season passes make repeated visits practical and affordable.
Having a season pass changes the nature of a sanctuary visit from a one-time event to an ongoing relationship.
Regular visitors watch animals grow, heal, and develop trust over time, witnessing transformations that single-visit guests might miss.
Passholders also tend to develop relationships with staff and other regular visitors, creating a sense of community around shared values of compassion and animal welfare.
Beyond the practical benefits, purchasing a season pass represents a meaningful way to support the sanctuary’s ongoing operations.
The revenue from passes helps cover the substantial costs of feeding, housing, and providing medical care for so many animals.
Families considering a season pass should think about their realistic visit frequency and whether the sanctuary’s Sunday-only public hours align with their typical schedules.
Information about current season pass pricing and benefits can be found on The Gentle Barn’s official website.
10. Plant-Based Living Education And Advocacy
Part of The Gentle Barn’s mission involves helping visitors understand the connection between their food choices and the lives of animals like those living at the sanctuary.
Educational programming includes information about plant-based eating, not from a preachy or judgmental angle, but through gentle exposure to alternatives and honest conversations about where food comes from.
Staff members share resources about transitioning to plant-based diets, offer recipe ideas, and introduce guests to the idea that compassion for animals can extend beyond the barnyard into daily life choices.
The sanctuary occasionally hosts cooking demonstrations or shares information about local plant-based restaurants and products that make animal-friendly eating more accessible.
These educational efforts focus on possibility rather than perfection, acknowledging that every person’s journey toward more ethical eating looks different.
Visitors are never pressured or shamed about their current dietary habits, but instead invited to consider how small changes might align their actions more closely with their values.
For many guests, meeting a rescued pig or cow face-to-face creates an emotional shift that makes abstract ethical arguments about food choices suddenly feel very personal and real.
The sanctuary provides follow-up resources for those who leave feeling motivated to explore plant-based options but unsure where to start.
This educational component represents The Gentle Barn’s recognition that lasting change for animals requires not just rescuing individuals but also shifting cultural attitudes about how humans relate to farm animals.
11. Animal Sponsorship Programs Support Individual Residents
Visitors who fall in love with a particular animal during their visit can maintain a connection through the sanctuary’s sponsorship program.
Sponsoring an animal means making a regular financial contribution that goes directly toward that creature’s care, including food, medical expenses, and habitat maintenance.
Sponsors receive updates about their chosen animal, photos showing how the creature is thriving, and the satisfaction of knowing they’re making a tangible difference in one life.
Sponsorship works particularly well for people who cannot visit frequently but want to support the sanctuary in a personal, meaningful way.
Children often enjoy having a sponsored animal to follow and learn about over time, with parents using the sponsorship as a tool for teaching responsibility and compassion.
Some sponsors eventually visit the sanctuary specifically to meet their sponsored animal in person, creating emotional reunions that staff members describe as highlights of their work.
The sponsorship program also provides crucial financial stability for the sanctuary, as regular monthly contributions help offset the unpredictable costs of animal rescue and care.
A cow might need unexpected veterinary treatment, or a new rescue might arrive requiring specialized equipment or diet.
Sponsorships create a financial cushion that allows The Gentle Barn to say yes to animals in need without worrying about immediate funding.
Information about sponsorship levels, available animals, and program details can be found through the sanctuary’s website or by speaking with staff during a visit.
12. Special Events Celebrate Milestones And Build Community
Throughout the year, The Gentle Barn hosts special events that bring together supporters, introduce new people to the sanctuary’s mission, and raise funds for ongoing operations.
Events like “Twilight Tails: A Soiree of Rescues and Renewal” combine celebration with education, offering attendees a chance to enjoy the sanctuary in a different atmosphere while learning about the work that happens behind the scenes.
These gatherings often feature guest speakers, animal rescue stories, and opportunities to meet the creatures who benefit from community support.
Special events serve multiple purposes beyond fundraising, helping to build a community of people who share values around animal welfare and compassion.
Attendees often describe feeling inspired and connected after spending an evening with like-minded individuals who care deeply about making a difference for vulnerable animals.
The events also raise awareness about the sanctuary among people who might not otherwise discover it, expanding the network of supporters and potential volunteers.
Milestone celebrations mark important moments in the sanctuary’s history, like the 25th anniversary that highlighted a quarter-century of rescue work and healing.
These occasions provide opportunities to reflect on how far the organization has come while also looking forward to future goals and challenges.
People interested in attending special events can sign up for the sanctuary’s mailing list or follow their social media channels for announcements about upcoming gatherings, ticket availability, and ways to participate even if unable to attend in person.
